Do the Orthodox Even Want Reunification?

[Madaglan]

. . .um, are you telling me that Jesus’s body and blood are now ‘separate’ parts? That the bread made flesh is ‘only’ flesh and the wine made blood is ‘only’ blood? That doesn’t sound right. Furthermore, quite a number of parishes, including mine, offer both Species.

As for the Pope being ‘head of the church’, he is the ‘vicar’, the prime-minister, heck even the ‘first among equals’ --your conception of Christ ‘alone’ sounds far more ‘protestant’ influenced than most of your fellow Orthodox, as well as the ‘clear from the Bible’ (I do not believe that the Orthodox lean to ‘Bible’ alone’. . .But of course, there are many different members of the Orthodox communion and we are always glad to learn what you’re thinking. . .

The Orthodox believe that the bread becomes the Body and the wine the Blood. The words of institution, drawn from Christ’s words in the gospel narratives of the Last Supper, contain two commandments: 1) of the bread, “take and eat; this is my body” 2) of the wine, “drink from it, all of you.” While not separating the two, Christ makes a distinction between eating his flesh and drinking his blood.

I do not venture to say that the Blood is not contained in species of consecrated bread, but I think it best to offer both species, at all times, in accord with the injunction of Christ for all (not just the priests) to eat and drink.

The belief in one head of the Church, and not two, is something Catholic and Orthodox agree upon. For Catholics, the one head is Christ and Peter and his successors. For Orthodox, the one head is Christ.

• (future mall store anyone?)

 

[Ignatios]

. . .um, are you telling me that Jesus’s body and blood are now ‘separate’ parts? That the bread made flesh is ‘only’ flesh and the wine made blood is ‘only’ blood? That doesn’t sound right. Furthermore, quite a number of parishes, including mine, offer both Species.

No, I am not telling you that, No, GOD forbid, that I would get into discussing a separation between the Flesh and Blood of our Lord, But the separation happened in your church in later times, for in the beginning it wasn’t the way it is now in regard to the Eucharist. Besides why not compare what your church is doing now in relation to the Holy Tradition. Not to mention also that it is clear what Christ had taught:
John 6: 53 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.
54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.

so as you see you MUST eat" and " drink.
you can’t get around that.

As for the Pope being ‘head of the church’, he is the ‘vicar’, the prime-minister, heck even the ‘first among equals’

The vicar is this one who is assigned when someone is absent, Now let me ask you this is CHRIST absent from your church, if not then why the idea of vicar to be indoctrinated in your church and only in regard to the Pope and not metaphorically?

The “First among equals” is not equal to “HEAD of the Church” there is a big difference as you may notice.
If you don’t believe that the Pope is the HEAD of your church DOGMATICALLY, then you cannot be part of the RCC, thus you have no salvation since all dogmas pertain to salvation.

The teaching of St Paul is dogmatic in this regard:

Ephesians 1:22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be** the head over all things to the church**, 23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

Eph. 4:15-16 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. 16From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

your conception of Christ ‘alone’

HUH !!! ??? what do you mean by “CHRIST alone” I hope you are not implying that I should have said " CHRIST and the Pope".

sounds far more ‘protestant’ influenced than most of your fellow Orthodox,

The traditional Protestants lacks many things BUT they are right on many issues also.
I just wish that you were influenced by the many right things that they have.

as well as the ‘clear from the Bible’ (I do not believe that the Orthodox lean to ‘Bible’ alone’. . .

One of the things that the protestant have wrong is the idea of Bible alone, and they disregard the Holy Tradition, but looking at the history of why the “Bible alone” came about, then, we do not wonder anymore.
Then, if you think that the Bible is not sufficient enough in this regard, then by all means, SHOW US how you are correct from any part of the Holy Tradition that you rely on for this matter.

But of course, there are many different members of the Orthodox communion and we are always glad to learn what you’re thinking. . .

You have spoken the truth, that is how the Apostles found us under a strict instruction from the Head of our Church that is CHRIST alone, so yes, many different members of the same Communion that is the Orthodox Faith of the One Holy truly Catholic and Apostolic Church of God.

GOD bless you all †††

 

[5Loaves]

At the PSALM Liturgical Singing Seminar 2 days ago Fr Stephan Meholick pastor of St. Nicholas Orthodox Church did an excellent presentation on “What is Liturgical Singing”. At the end he said he’d gotten a lot of material from some one whom he wanted to credit. Could any one guess who? His Holiness Benedict XVI Pope of Rome. At a Nativity vespers or vigil at St. Nicholas he quoted St. John Vianney. I’ve never discussed “reunification” with Fr Stephan. He knows I’m Catholic and has never mentioned the topic. To me his having read B16 on liturgy and then choosing to incorporate some of those materials in his presentation and crediting the source is a kind of “unity” I really relate to. I’m reminded that the Moscow Patriarchate just published a book with Benedict XVI’s writings. I am constantly reading and referencing Orthodox materials as do other ECs here and elsewhere. It’s nice to find that stream going in the other direction. This is a path toward unity. Fr Stephan also made me think twice-- that here is an Orthodox priest quoting the Pope of Rome to me, and quoting something I have not read… Time for me to do some homework.

 

[marlo]

Nine_Two, i think you should go back and learn about Orthodox teaching with your priest as you are indeed mistaken if you believe that the Body is present in the Bread alone and Blood is present in the wine alone. There is no distinction between Orthodox and Catholics on this doctrine.

That is one distinction between Catholics and Orthodox. We do not believe that both the body and blood exist within both the wine and bread.

And the title “vicar” means one who acts in the place of, which is a title I personally won’t accept any patriarch using.

 

[marlo]

you must be confused that the Catholic church only give bread only, i’m a witness myself that when i got married, we drank the chalice and eat the hostia, and as many catholics here have said, many parishes offers both bread and wine,

however as long as many orthodox deny that the presence of bread and wine exist in the bread or wine alone, and if orthodox would say that it should be taken both to have complete communion, they i would say that the church will continue to offer with the bread alone to combat this heresy. As this is one of the reason why this was imposed.

No, I am not telling you that, No, GOD forbid, that I would get into discussing a separation between the Flesh and Blood of our Lord, But the separation happened in your church in later times, for in the beginning it wasn’t the way it is now in regard to the Eucharist. Besides why not compare what your church is doing now in relation to the Holy Tradition. Not to mention also that it is clear what Christ had taught:
John 6: 53 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.
54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.

so as you see you MUST eat" and " drink.
you can’t get around that.

The vicar is this one who is assigned when someone is absent, Now let me ask you this is CHRIST absent from your church, if not then why the idea of vicar to be indoctrinated in your church and only in regard to the Pope and not metaphorically?

The “First among equals” is not equal to “HEAD of the Church” there is a big difference as you may notice.
If you don’t believe that the Pope is the HEAD of your church DOGMATICALLY, then you cannot be part of the RCC, thus you have no salvation since all dogmas pertain to salvation.

The teaching of St Paul is dogmatic in this regard:

Ephesians 1:22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be** the head over all things to the church**, 23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

Eph. 4:15-16 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. 16From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

HUH !!! ??? what do you mean by “CHRIST alone” I hope you are not implying that I should have said " CHRIST and the Pope".

The traditional Protestants lacks many things BUT they are right on many issues also.
I just wish that you were influenced by the many right things that they have.

One of the things that the protestant have wrong is the idea of Bible alone, and they disregard the Holy Tradition, but looking at the history of why the “Bible alone” came about, then, we do not wonder anymore.
Then, if you think that the Bible is not sufficient enough in this regard, then by all means, SHOW US how you are correct from any part of the Holy Tradition that you rely on for this matter.

You have spoken the truth, that is how the Apostles found us under a strict instruction from the Head of our Church that is CHRIST alone, so yes, many different members of the same Communion that is the Orthodox Faith of the One Holy truly Catholic and Apostolic Church of God.

GOD bless you all †††

 

[Vico]

… What is the AcoE? …

Assyrian Church of the East, (Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East).

 

[Diak]

The ‘party line’ of the Moscow Patriarchate appears to be actually ‘softer’ on Catholicism than the Greek OC since the former recognise Roman orders but the latter do not (an odd difference for those claiming to be of the same Church, especially when in the 19th century it was the other way around - which raises the thorny EO question of authority).

I would strongly disagree with this generalization. Actually the opposite is true; three of the last four Popes have personally met with the standing Patriarchs of Constantinople (EP); during that same time no Patriarch of Moscow has even once met with a Pope. Vespers and other services have been celebrated with the Pope or the EP being present with the other; if the there was a question of “orders” this would not likely have been possible. Most of the theological dialogue, both at the local level (such as the Kyivan Church Study Group) or higher levels has been spearheaded on the Orthodox side by representatives of the EP.

 

[Randy_Carson]

If the RCC is willing to come back to the prior schism and claim her most honorable seat amongst her equals and brethren, we as Orthodox lift our hands and hearts to GOD and thank Him for bringing our most beloved brothers and sisters back to their own home amongst us, as for us Orthodox there is nothing that we can do to move towards where Rome is today NOT EVEN AN INCH, other than keep lifting up the prayers and invocation to GOD.
Tell me how could I go and receive communion from the RCC when they hold the Precious blood and give me only HIS Precious flesh, or how would go by accepting the Pope as the HEAD of the Church Dogmatically when it is clear from the Bible that the Head of the Church is JESUS CHRIST ALONE Dogmatically, No, GOD forbid that I would do such things.

GOD bless you all †††

This should not be a problem because Jesus is fully present - body, blood, soul and divinity - in the host and fully present - body, blood, soul and divinity - in the cup.

You receive all even if you only receive one species.

 

[Randy_Carson]

That is one distinction between Catholics and Orthodox. We do not believe that both the body and blood exist within both the wine and bread.

What does scripture say?

[1 Corinthians 11:27](http://forums.catholic-questions.org/passage/?search=1 Corinthians+11:27&version=NIV)
Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord.

If you eat OR drink unworthily, you have sinned against both the body and the blood.

How can you sin against the blood if you have only received the body unworthily? How can you sin against the body if you have only received the blood unworthily?

You can’t. If you receive one OR the other, and you do so in an unworthy manner, you have sinned against BOTH and not just the one.

And the title “vicar” means one who acts in the place of, which is a title I personally won’t accept any patriarch using.

Interesting. Tell me, when Jesus commanded Peter to go catch a fish and take the coin to pay His taxes, was Peter acting in the place of Christ?

 

[BernadetteM]

. . .um, are you telling me that Jesus’s body and blood are now ‘separate’ parts? That the bread made flesh is ‘only’ flesh and the wine made blood is ‘only’ blood? That doesn’t sound right. Furthermore, quite a number of parishes, including mine, offer both Species.

As for the Pope being ‘head of the church’, he is the ‘vicar’, the prime-minister, heck even the ‘first among equals’ --your conception of Christ ‘alone’ sounds far more ‘protestant’ influenced than most of your fellow Orthodox, as well as the ‘clear from the Bible’ (I do not believe that the Orthodox lean to ‘Bible’ alone’. . .But of course, there are many different members of the Orthodox communion and we are always glad to learn what you’re thinking. . .

I believe that many Antiochian Orthodox in the US are from protestant backgrounds. This might be where Ignatios comes from in his beliefs. If I am incorrect, please forgive me. I know that when our Episcopal parish split some went to the Antiochian Orthodox and use the Anglican Liturgy with some changes to conform to Orthodox belief. Protestants are very entrenced in their former beliefs and although they convert either to the Catholic Church or to the Orthodox Church it is difficult to make a complete transformation in all the teachings of their new faith.

I watched a video of Patriarch Jonah and he was upset with I believe either the Greek or Russian Patriarch for wanting more authority over the Western Antiochian Church in the US. I can’t remember exactly what his complaint was. Americans in general don’t like any authority and we see that whether in a religious setting or a secular setting.

Whenever I think of Antiochian Orthodox I just assume their congregations are mostly former protestants. I have attended two of their liturgies and in both parishes all the members were former protestants.

I know that many Orthodox and Catholics would like to be united and I believe that the Holy Spirit is working through Pope Benedict and some Orthodox to achieve this. We all must ask God to deliever us from the hostilities we harbor towards one another. I have never felt anything but as a sister to the Orthodox and pray that they would feel the same.

God Bless

Bernadette

 

[Madaglan]

I believe that many Antiochian Orthodox in the US are from protestant backgrounds. This might be where Ignatios comes from in his beliefs. If I am incorrect, please forgive me. I know that when our Episcopal parish split some went to the Antiochian Orthodox and use the Anglican Liturgy with some changes to conform to Orthodox belief. Protestants are very entrenced in their former beliefs and although they convert either to the Catholic Church or to the Orthodox Church it is difficult to make a complete transformation in all the teachings of their new faith.

I watched a video of Patriarch Jonah and he was upset with I believe either the Greek or Russian Patriarch for wanting more authority over the Western Antiochian Church in the US. I can’t remember exactly what his complaint was. Americans in general don’t like any authority and we see that whether in a religious setting or a secular setting.

Whenever I think of Antiochian Orthodox I just assume their congregations are mostly former protestants. I have attended two of their liturgies and in both parishes all the members were former protestants.

I know that many Orthodox and Catholics would like to be united and I believe that the Holy Spirit is working through Pope Benedict and some Orthodox to achieve this. We all must ask God to deliever us from the hostilities we harbor towards one another. I have never felt anything but as a sister to the Orthodox and pray that they would feel the same.

God Bless

Bernadette

There are several Western Rite Orthodox parishes under the omiphorion of Antiochian bishops. And there also are many Antiochian parishes whose membership is largely former Protestant. There are Western Rite Orthodox parishes that offer a corrected form of the Anglican Liturgy; there are others that use what is called the Divine Liturgy of St. Gregory, which is similiar to the so-called Tridentine Latin Mass.

The OCA too has a significant convert population of former Protestants, although there may not be as many familiar faces.

I can usually tell who has a Protestant background.

 

[trophybearer]

I believe that many Antiochian Orthodox in the US are from protestant backgrounds. This might be where Ignatios comes from in his beliefs. If I am incorrect, please forgive me. I know that when our Episcopal parish split some went to the Antiochian Orthodox and use the Anglican Liturgy with some changes to conform to Orthodox belief. Protestants are very entrenced in their former beliefs and although they convert either to the Catholic Church or to the Orthodox Church it is difficult to make a complete transformation in all the teachings of their new faith.

I watched a video of Patriarch Jonah and he was upset with I believe either the Greek or Russian Patriarch for wanting more authority over the Western Antiochian Church in the US. I can’t remember exactly what his complaint was. Americans in general don’t like any authority and we see that whether in a religious setting or a secular setting.

Whenever I think of Antiochian Orthodox I just assume their congregations are mostly former protestants. I have attended two of their liturgies and in both parishes all the members were former protestants.

I know that many Orthodox and Catholics would like to be united and I believe that the Holy Spirit is working through Pope Benedict and some Orthodox to achieve this. We all must ask God to deliever us from the hostilities we harbor towards one another. I have never felt anything but as a sister to the Orthodox and pray that they would feel the same.

God Bless

Bernadette

Not my Antiochian parish. Mostly Lebanese, a few Greeks a few Russians and Romanians. There are a few converts, myself included… maybe 5 altogether. 2 of us were Roman Catholics. Most of the Lebanese are descendants of the founders of the parish and thoroughly Americanized. All services are in English.

 

[Ignatios]

you must be confused that the Catholic church only give bread only, i’m a witness myself that when i got married, we drank the chalice and eat the hostia, and as many catholics here have said, many parishes offers both bread and wine,

No I am not confused, if you read and comprehend.
I know that “some” or a “few” is a better word, offers both hosts.
The comments is about holding back the Precious blood.
Do you know what year they started to allow both hosts if desired by the priest, I think, or the Bishop.
and then do you know when they held back the Precious blood?

however as long as many orthodox deny that the presence of bread and wine exist in the bread or wine alone, and if orthodox would say that it should be taken both to have complete communion, they i would say that the church will continue to offer with the bread alone to combat this heresy. As this is one of the reason why this was imposed.

do you know what “heresy” means???
look it up and you going to find out that it applies to you.
Heresy is whatever deviate from the Apostolic Teaching, never mind if it makes sense or not.
And since you are at it why not look up what is the Apostolic Teaching concerning the Eucharist?

This should not be a problem because Jesus is fully present - body, blood, soul and divinity - in the host and fully present - body, blood, soul and divinity - in the cup.

You receive all even if you only receive one species.

I know what the RCC teaches, and it should not be a problem if you don’t mind deviating from the Tradition.

What does scripture say?

[1 Corinthians 11:27](http://forums.catholic-questions.org/passage/?search=1 Corinthians+11:27&version=NIV)
Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord.

If you eat OR drink unworthily, you have sinned against both the body and the blood.

How can you sin against the blood if you have only received the body unworthily? How can you sin against the body if you have only received the blood unworthily?

You can’t. If you receive one OR the other, and you do so in an unworthy manner, you have sinned against BOTH and not just the one.

hhhmmm… interesting my Bible says this:
1 Corinthians 11:27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%2011:27&version=KJV
It would be interesting to find out what the Greek actually say?

Interesting. Tell me, when Jesus commanded Peter to go catch a fish and take the coin to pay His taxes, was Peter acting in the place of Christ?

NOT at all, he was “serving” CHRIST after he was “COMMANDED”

GOD bless you all †††

 

[Ignatios]

I believe that many Antiochian Orthodox in the US are from protestant backgrounds. This might be where Ignatios comes from in his beliefs. If I am incorrect, please forgive me. I know that when our Episcopal parish split some went to the Antiochian Orthodox and use the Anglican Liturgy with some changes to conform to Orthodox belief. Protestants are very entrenced in their former beliefs and although they convert either to the Catholic Church or to the Orthodox Church it is difficult to make a complete transformation in all the teachings of their new faith.

I watched a video of Patriarch Jonah and he was upset with I believe either the Greek or Russian Patriarch for wanting more authority over the Western Antiochian Church in the US. I can’t remember exactly what his complaint was. Americans in general don’t like any authority and we see that whether in a religious setting or a secular setting.

Whenever I think of Antiochian Orthodox I just assume their congregations are mostly former protestants. I have attended two of their liturgies and in both parishes all the members were former protestants.

I know that many Orthodox and Catholics would like to be united and I believe that the Holy Spirit is working through Pope Benedict and some Orthodox to achieve this. We all must ask God to deliever us from the hostilities we harbor towards one another. I have never felt anything but as a sister to the Orthodox and pray that they would feel the same.

God Bless

Bernadette

Don’t worry sister, I am not offended, if you thought that I am convert, for the future of the Orthodox Church in America is for the converts GOD bless them, if it was not of one of them I would have been lost, they were the reason for my return to the Holy Orthodox Church of GOD out of study and knowledge.
As for I am Convert, No I am Not , as a matter of fact, I can trace my family back to 500 years in Orthodoxy and Martyrs for the faith, and can trace the name of my family back to ghassanids or the Arabian Tribe of Bani Ghassan, and then back to old testament era.

GOD bless you all †††

 

[Ilyusha]

The vast majority of all Orthodox heirarchs seem in favour of reunification between the Orthodox and Catholic churches, in term of recognizing the validity of each other’s sacraments and co-operating as one holy body. The Orthodox will never accept papal infallibility or papal supremacy, and we will never change our traditions and beliefs. However many of us are prepared to recognise the validity of the Roman Catholic Church alongside the Orthodox Church.

However, many Orthodox laity have a strong identity of being non-Catholics. There are few Orthodox who support the idea of reunification, as the Catholics differ from us in many ways and are considered heretical. For example, they administer communion in the hand, they have the Filioque added to the creed, their priests are celibate, and they have doctrines such as purgatory, indulgences, papal infallibility and the immaculate conception, all of which Orthodoxy rejects.

Personally, I think it is possible for us to agree to disagree on theological and pastoral issues, but nonetheless recognise the validity of each other’s sacraments. When I attend a Catholic mass I have no doubt about the Real Presence in the Eucharist. There is grace in Catholicism.

 

[KyivAndrew]

The ‘party line’ of the Moscow Patriarchate appears to be actually ‘softer’ on Catholicism than the Greek OC since the former recognise Roman orders but the latter do not (an odd difference for those claiming to be of the same Church, especially when in the 19th century it was the other way around - which raises the thorny EO question of authority).

I would agree with what Diak said about this being not essentially true. The Moscow Patriarch won’t even budge on getting into the formalities of talks of reunion because of the existence of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, the largest Eastern Catholic Church. This Church suffered tremendously for the faith in the 20th Century, a fact which the MP refuses to acknowledge. They would like this Church to just disappear, never mind how many martyrs it gave to the Church when the Soviets liquidated it and its hierarchy for not converting to the at-the-time state-sanctioned Russian Orthodox Church as it was. It’s easier with the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantin0ple for Catholics IMHO than with the Moscow Patriarch…

 

[Andrew_Phillip]

I would agree with what Diak said about this being not essentially true. The Moscow Patriarch won’t even budge on getting into the formalities of talks of reunion because of the existence of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, the largest Eastern Catholic Church. This Church suffered tremendously for the faith in the 20th Century, a fact which the MP refuses to acknowledge. They would like this Church to just disappear, never mind how many martyrs it gave to the Church when the Soviets liquidated it and its hierarchy for not converting to the at-the-time state-sanctioned Russian Orthodox Church as it was. It’s easier with the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantin0ple for Catholics IMHO than with the Moscow Patriarch…

**Yes… The Ukrainian Catholic Church has suffered terribly under both the Tsars and the Soviets.

However, it is joined in it’s suffering by the Ukrainian Orthodox - and I specifically identify the Autocephelous UOC and Kyiv Patriarchate Orthodox Ukrainians.

Both Churches have suffered terribly… not because of specific theological differences which exist between the two (as Much as with the Moscow Patriarchate) but because of the common roots of national self determinist consciousness which Ukrainians share in common. We both want a free and independent Ukraine!

Moscow does not object theologically to the Ukrainian Orthodox - but politically. That’s why Ukrainian Orthodox cherish and support their Ukrainian Catholic Borthers and Sisters - in my case, even within the same family unit!**

 

[Volodymyr]

[the example of Moscow which declared itself a patriarchate. (I guess size **does matter ) 'm not sure how much of what appears to be “distaste” is real or merely an emulation of the “party line” of the MP.

Very strange comment. Patriarch Job was elevated to Patriarch of Moskow by Patriarch Jeremiah of Konstantinopl. Job does not “declare himself” patriarch.

There is no dis-taste in Orthodox for Roman Catholics to reunify to Holy Orthodoxy as soon as they can.

 

[Vico]

[the example of Moscow which declared itself a patriarchate. (I guess size **does

matter ) 'm not sure how much of what appears to be “distaste” is real or merely an emulation of the “party line” of the MP.

Very strange comment. Patriarch Job was elevated to Patriarch of Moskow by Patriarch Jeremiah of Konstantinopl. Job does not “declare himself” patriarch.

There is no dis-taste in Orthodox for Roman Catholics to reunify to Holy Orthodoxy as soon as they can.

Volodymyr, I think they made a mistake and are thinking of an earlier time, when the Ecumenical Patriarch made an agreement with Rome at the Council of Florence, and then it was rejected by the Orthodox churches. So because of that, and seeing that Constantinople was surrounded by Ottomans, Moscow declared itself autocephalous. The year was 1448 but Moscow autocephaly was not ratified by the rest of the Church until 1589.

 

[mark_a]

Fortunately His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, Bishop of Rome, is not among the Latin Catholics with that notion (submission) of what reunion would look like.

His view is very pastoral.